The year is 2019 and it was discovered that scientists have modified the DNA of an unborn baby to create the “perfect baby”; a baby free of acquired diseases or mental illness. This new discovery and testing may change the world in many ways but what are the ethical implications which accompany such a discovery?
I first heard of scientists experimenting with the DNA of an unborn baby in May 2019 where it was noted on a popular television programme. The programme followed the scientists throughout the journey of adapting and modifying the DNA of the fetus as well as documented why they chose to do the study. The study by the scientists may create a bright future for the world or be the downfall thereof but I couldn’t help but beg the question of how ethical such studies and experiments may be not only to the parties involved but the rest of the world too.
Mr He Jainkui, a scientist from the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, use the gene-editing tool CRISPR to modify embryos to create twin girls. CRISPR-Cas9 makes use of special and unique technology which aids the geneticists as well as medical researchers to modify sections of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence. The CRISPR-Cas9 system consists of two key molecules that introduce a change (mutation) into the DNA; these are: an enzyme called Cas9. The DNA is cut into two strands, as the enzyme acts as a pair of molecular scissors, where once it is cut at the location needed in the genome, DNA can now be added or removed and a piece of RNA called guide RNA (gRNA). ” This consists of a small piece of pre-designed RNA sequence (about 20 bases long) located within a longer RNA scaffold. The scaffold part binds to DNA and the pre-designed sequence ‘guides’ Cas9 to the right part of the genome. This makes sure that the Cas9 enzyme cuts at the right point in the genome”(What is CRISPR-Cas9?).
Mr He Jainkui says his team performed “gene surgery” on embryos created from their parents’ sperm and eggs to protect the children from the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, which causes AIDS. The children’s father is HIV-positive. However, he is now facing investigation by a local medical ethics board to see whether his experiment broke Chinese laws or regulations (Cohen, 2019).
A blog post article by Future of Life, where he writes out the benefits and risks associated with biotechnology, he states that the very same biotechnology that has the possibility to save our lives has an equal possibility of ending it. Biotechnology has affected human life before it has even begun by making use of the home pregnancy test and the use of biotechnology goes on throughout human life through the use of drugs such as antibiotics, treating cancer and heart disease and has now been deployed into research delving into a cure for Alzheimers and reverse aging. Biotechnology may carry several advantages into prolonging and nurturing life but it bares many consequences too. The cells which have been mutated or engineered may multiply and grow on their own and spread like wild fire across the human life forms. Furthermore, biotechnology may be used as weaponizing technology where future outbreaks of diseases may be caused on purpose to stop or end wars (Benefits and Risks of Biotechnology, n.d).
Biotechnology, CRISPR-Cas9 in this instance of the article, may illustrate many advances in technology but it does pose questions regarding the ethics around the technology where some worry that by altering human DNA we are starting to ‘play God’. It was stated that although gene therapy is used to aid in the cure of many diseases, where will the line be drawn? ( Benefits and Risks of Biotechnology, n.d)
CRISPR-Cas9 is very controversial among scientists and the rest of the world. As previously stated, I first heard about it during the broadcast of a popular TV programme and it sparked my interest. Throughout the lectures we were taught during our ethics module and even outside of the module one thing stood out and that was the ability of an individual to make informed and consented choices and the importance of human life. CRISPR-Cas9 seems to take the choice of fetus away as the scientists involved make the informed choice on behalf of the fetus and although the fetus is unable to make these choices themselves and in reality won’t be able to make that choice for a long while, the scientists have altered the natural course of the fetus’ life which is illustrated in the picture above.
The technology of CRISPR-Cas9 has not personally affected me within the scope of my physiotherapy practice or experience, it may some day. In retrospect, I have worked with children with special needs and have also treated patients with cancer or life threatening diseases and in those instances, I think the technology would aid those individuals in living a better and more fulfilling lifestyle without the worry of their impairment. However, on the other end of the spectrum, one has to consider if these scientists are using the technology to genuinely improve human life or as an opportunity to future research human life. Patients or individuals should be afforded the best possible care available to them but in populations plagued with poverty, would the technology of CRISPR-Cas9 aid them considering the costs. Looking at CRISPR-Cas9 it may take away several jobs of individuals who have specialized in working with learners with special needs or people who are terminally ill. Physiotherapy scope is broad and we work across the board where technology like CRISPR-Cas9 could negatively impact job creation or it may improve it should CRISPR-Cas9 have any negative consequences.
I can conclude that CRISPR-Cas9 comes with many unknowns which have yet to be explored but the question that sticks is where will be draw the line in the use of biotechnology in its impact on human life?
References:
Benefits and Risks of Biotechnology. Future of Life. Retrieved from https://futureoflife.org/background/benefits-risks-biotechnology/?cn-reloaded=1 on 13 September 2019)
Cohen, J. 2019. The untold story of the ‘circle of trust’ behind the world’s first gene-edited babies. Retrieved from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/08/untold-story-circle-trust-behind-world-s-first-gene-edited-babies on 12 September 2019.
What is CRISPR-Cas9? Retreived from https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-crispr-cas9 on 12 September 2019.
2 thoughts on “Modifying DNA”
Hi Gillian,
Thank you for sharing your piece. I am going to give feedback following the rubric so it is easier to follow and more structured.
Substance/content: I don’t think your post is yet complete, both in terms of it’s length and the contribution you’ve made. You’ve chosen quite an interesting topic and as you say, one that is being spoken about at the moment, but you haven’t made a substantial contribution to the ‘argument’ yet- I think you can as there is more than enough information and opinions online to help you formulate your own. I like that you’ve chosen a topic that is complex, to highlight both sides of the argument will be a challenge but it will be a good and relevant read. To make your writing more substantial, try a find evidence of the ethical dilemma behind this, perhaps there is a online video or a specific piece of literature you can include in your reference (definitely more than one).
Synthesis of content / Discussion / Reflection / Critical thought: So because this is not a topic we have discussed in ethics, I don’t think you can directly draw coursework into your topic but there is definitely a link between your topic and some of the topics we have spoken about. For example, you touch on human rights for a brief moment, flesh that out and formulate an opinion/statement around that. You haven’t really given a personal experience of your topic, only that you’ve watched a documentary on it, can you perhaps link it something you’ve experienced in clinical practice? Maybe a patient with a genetic condition that you have treated? Or treating a pregnant mother?
I think once you have a personal tie to your topic and linked it something we have discussed in ethics you will be able to narrow down the type of evidence you are needing to display critical/analytical thinking and to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge. You will also be able to reflect more easily and provide the reader with YOUR thoughts if it is linked to your own experience.
Engagement: I think you have not yet fully engaged with your topic, based on the feedback above, I think you will then start to participate in and advance the discussion by raising meaningful questions/ideas. Because this is not a topic we have discussed in class, you have an opportunity to contribute to the learning of others, make use of that.
Writing style: Grammar, punctuation and spelling are good, I could not find any big mistakes. You demonstrate a clear writing style but because there is no substance yet it does not clearly link ideas or strengthen your views, you definitely have the potential to do so. When you start working on the piece, try structure a compelling introduction (insight into your topic with a touch on your clinical experience/scenario), an informative body (statements and claims that are justified with literature, each paragraph touching on a point) and a satisfactory conclusion (this does not have to be a solution, it could just be coming to an understanding).
References: You mention Mr He Jainkui in your text but there is not reference for this at the end of the post. As I said above, once you have more in-depth ideas/links/literature this section will be strengthened. Because you haven’t made claims yet it is hard for you to reference or include literature.
Time/length: The post was submitted on time but the length of the work is inappropriate to the level of the project or guidance provided by the lecturer.
Information literacy: you have only linked to a small reference, but you have the opportunity to link to multimedia to illustrate your main idea. Show the reader that you understand how to use technology to strengthen your argument.
I hope this helps you, Goodluck!
Jemma
Hi Gillian !
Thank you so much for sharing your piece. What an interesting topic you have selected. The image selected links well with the topic in focus. You have shared many interesting facts regarding this topic which allows the reader to be well informed. Perhaps explore the topic more from your own perspective and try and link it to the physiotherapy profession or even a personal clinical encounter. Perhaps explore your views on the topic should a patient encountered in the clinical setting might want to go through with this particular procedure ? Your piece was submitted on time. Once you explore the topic in focus more in depth the length of your piece will improve. Thank you so much for sharing your piece. Hopefully the feedback provided will be of assistance with your final piece.
Zielke